DR Congo albinos live in fear

Parents of children living with albinism are concerned about the insecurity of their kids South of Kivu in the DR Congo.

In Africa albinos body parts are allegedly used for black magic.

The parents and their albino kids have been leaving their villages this past two months for fear of persecution.

Some have been quitting the Twangiza village due to frequent warnings from unknown persons.

Despite relocating to Bukavu, the children say they continue receiving threats.

“I have never heard anything from authorities on measures taken to stop the violations of the rights of albinos. It has never been heard among politicians, military or national security officials. This is shocking. It gives the impression that albinos are not considered. Justice means impartiality. Not the way we see,“Joseph Byamunguy, coordinator of the Albinos Association of South Kivu said.

For close to two months now Lebon Matambiru, a father of three albino kids has been living in hiding with his kids.
After fleeing his home, he now finds it difficult carrying on with his daily activities. He complaints that on many occasions he has had to deal with armed men who visit his home in efforts to kidnap his kids.

“The file on the situation of my kids has not been evolving at the judiciary. That is why we have been leaving in hiding as we are afraid that that we can be kidnapped at any time,” Lebon Mutabiru, father of three albino kids told Africanews correspondent.

In one week, two albino kids have escaped assassination attempts around Katana, 150 km from Bukavu at South Kivu.

An albino girl was rescued by her mother in August around midnight.

Even when dead, albinos at North Kivu cannot rest in peace as their tombs are dug up by those seeking to use their body parts for rituals.